In this issue… Design at Work New York partners with AIA New York for a 2027 commercial interiors event, while Lane Office changes hands and Teknion expands Koorosh Sharghi’s leadership role. The office market shows mixed momentum, with stronger leasing, falling vacancy, suburban gains, cautious investment, and AI reshaping both space needs and employment. Features explore Pearson Lloyd’s human-centered design approach, campus design as a strategic tool, and the rising importance of ancillary, flexible, color-conscious, and quiet spaces. Product news highlights Palmer Hamilton’s Comfort Plus Seat, Carnegie’s sustainable Aperture Embroider textile, OFGO STUDIO’s expanded UNIFY seating, J+J Flooring’s Ume, and Herman Miller’s revived Girard throws.
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July 2026 US jobs data, released by the BLS on Friday, August 7, showed nonfarm payrolls unexpectedly fell by 23,000 — a sharp miss against consensus estimates of roughly +80,000 to +85,000 — while May and June figures were revised down a combined 103,000 jobs, painting a weaker summer labor market than previously reported. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.1% from 4.2%, but only because labor force participation dropped to 61.4%, its lowest level in more than five years outside the pandemic, rather than from stronger hiring. Overall the report marked the largest negative payroll surprise in over two years, easing pressure on the Fed to hike rates, with the next Employment Situation report for August due September 4, 2026.
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Employee happiness is rebounding after hitting all‑time lows, with eNPS rising to 40 in the first half of 2026—the strongest increase since 2023—and a 4.4% year‑over‑year gain. The improvement is uneven: younger workers, especially those aged 26‑30, and tech‑industry employees remain less happy, while older employees and those with longer tenure show higher satisfaction; male workers still report slightly higher eNPS than female workers, though the gap has narrowed.
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"Although Lane Office has been around for 104 years, Aaron and I are the new guys on the block."
- Mark Fischer, Co-owner of Lane Office Furniture
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Lane Office Changes Hands, With a New Generation Set to Lead
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Lane Office Furniture, the New York commercial-furniture dealership, is entering a new chapter: CEO Mark Fischer has agreed to acquire the 104-year-old business alongside construction-industry veteran Aaron Black. The pair will serve as co-principals, succeeding Gregory F. Burke after 34 years of ownership; Burke will remain involved during the transition.
“At first, I was a bit nervous about this acquisition because of the inherent risk of owning a business, but as Aaron and I dove more into it, the nerves turned into excitement,” Fischer said. “You can feel the buzz around the office and industry, which is incredibly invigorating and extremely exciting – we’re thrilled about this opportunity.”
The transaction comes at a meaningful moment for MillerKnoll dealers. Independent dealerships remain the central route through which MillerKnoll’s contract-furniture products reach customers, but their role now extends well beyond specifying furniture: they are expected to provide local expertise, project management, installation and a convincing workplace strategy. At the same time, MillerKnoll has invested in a major New York design hub, putting even more emphasis on the market as a center for client experience and design conversation.
For Lane, the opportunity is to pair that legacy dealership role with a more expansive offering. Fischer and Black plan to deepen the firm’s MillerKnoll partnership while growing FalkbuiltNY, its Digital Component Construction business—a sign of how dealers are increasingly looking to connect furnishings, interiors and construction delivery rather than treating them as separate conversations.
“Both my parents were entrepreneurs, and it has been a dream of mine to follow in their footsteps,” Black said. “I’m excited to help lead a team primed for disruption. I’ve admired Mark’s work ethic as a competitor since joining the industry, and when the opportunity to work with him came along, it was an easy yes.”
Fischer, meanwhile, sees the ownership change as an opportunity to bring a little urgency to a company with more than a century of history. “Although Lane Office has been around for 104 years, Aaron and I are the new guys on the block,” he said. “With that comes fresh energy, new ideas, and a renewed sense of rigor. Together, we’ll build on the legacy that has brought us this far and help shape one that lasts for the next 104 years.”
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Wolf-Gordon Acquires Look Walls & Interiors
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Wolf-Gordon has acquired Look Walls & Interiors, a Dallas-based designer and manufacturer of custom and digitally printed wallcoverings, expanding its custom business in the fast-growing digital wallcovering market.
Look Walls creates made-to-order wallcoverings for hospitality, corporate, healthcare and education projects. Co-founders Lindsay White and Lester Blumenthal will continue to lead the business alongside its existing team, while Wolf-Gordon provides operational resources and access to its broader design platform.
“Look Walls’ experience and capabilities are an ideal complement to Wolf-Gordon’s portfolio,” CEO Rick Wolf said. The acquisition gives Wolf-Gordon a deeper custom-production capability while preserving Look Walls’ independent design culture and client relationships.
Charger Investment Partners, Wolf-Gordon’s private equity backer, said the deal supports its strategy to build market-leading platforms serving specialized professional communities.
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Teknion Taps Koorosh Sharghi as Chief Brand and Product Officer
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Teknion has appointed Koorosh Sharghi chief brand and product officer, expanding the Studio TK president’s remit to include the company’s marketing, design, product and data functions. Sharghi will join Teknion’s executive committee while continuing to lead Studio TK, where he has overseen a brand relaunch, product development, distribution growth and deeper integration with the broader Teknion business. “Koorosh has a proven ability to build a strong product portfolio with a distinct point of view, while leading a brand that is both elevated and refined,” Teknion CEO and President David Feldberg said. “His leadership has resulted in considerable growth for Studio TK.”
The move puts brand stewardship and product strategy under one leader as workplace-furniture manufacturers work to offer more cohesive experiences across products, spaces and customer touchpoints. “It’s a privilege to take on this expanded role with Teknion, a company long admired for its unwavering commitment to design excellence, innovation, customer-centricity, and its people,” Sharghi said. “I look forward to partnering with our customers and our incredibly talented teams across Teknion to build on this strong foundation, strengthening our brands, advancing our product portfolio, and creating meaningful experiences that deliver lasting value.”
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Design at Work New York Looks to Build a New Workplace-Design Forum
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Design at Work New York, a new exhibition and conference focused on commercial interiors and workplace design, will launch at the Javits Center on March 10–11, 2027, with AIA New York as a founding strategic partner. The group will help shape the education program, while a steering committee including HOK’s Kay Sargent, Studio O+A’s Primo Orpilla and Grace Eun, ThinkLab’s Amanda Schneider, SANDOW’s AJ Paron, ASID’s Matthew J. De Geeter, Kerrie Kelly and Harsha Kotak will guide the event’s development. “Our partnership with AIA New York is a significant step in the development of Design at Work New York,” Media 10’s Marlon Cera-Marle said. “From the outset, our ambition has been to create a focused, design-led event that delivers genuine value for the architecture and design community.”
The timing is welcome. NeoCon remains the industry’s defining annual gathering in Chicago, but the workplace conversation is too important—and moving too quickly—to be reserved for one June week. A New York-based forum gives architects, designers, manufacturers, developers and corporate occupiers another chance to compare notes on the issues reshaping work: hybrid habits, real estate pressure, wellness, technology and the value of gathering in person.
“We are delighted to join Design at Work New York as a Founding Strategic Partner,” AIANY Executive Director Jesse Lazar said. “Together, we look forward to creating an inspiring platform that brings the architectural community together to exchange ideas, share knowledge and explore the future of workplace design through education, collaboration and meaningful industry connections.”
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HON Lands $25 Million Navy Furniture Contract for California Facilities
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The Navy has awarded The HON Co. LLC a potential $24.99 million contract to supply office furniture and related workspace services for facilities at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and other California locations.
The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity agreement covers commercial furniture, furnishings, design and installation work through July 2031. Most of the work—80%—is slated for China Lake, with 19% planned for Point Mugu and the remaining 1% at Port Hueneme.
The award does not mean the full $25 million will be spent immediately. The Navy obligated $27,007 in fiscal 2026 procurement funding at the outset, with future purchases to be issued as needs arise under the contract’s ceiling.
HON was selected after a competition that drew two offers. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake is managing the contract.
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Obama Presidential Center Names Cheryl Durst as an Inaugural “Changemaker”
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The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) announced that Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst has been featured as an inaugural “Changemaker” in the “Imagine Your Impact” exhibition at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center, highlighting her work in inclusive design and the IIDA pathway program for underserved high‑school students. The exhibition, curated by the Obama Foundation, showcases 33 global leaders across multiple interactive stations, emphasizing grassroots action and the power of design to foster equity, belonging, and opportunity.
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NeoKen Brings NeoCon Energy to New Jersey
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Fresh off NeoCon in Chicago, NeoKen brought the contract furniture industry’s momentum to New Jersey for a well-attended post-show gathering hosted by Ken Gibson Associates.
The event drew a cross-section of major dealers, designers and end users, creating a local opportunity to reconnect, see what’s new and continue conversations started at the industry’s largest annual showcase. HOK’s Candon Murphy also presented a CEU program attended by roughly 100 guests.
Gibson said NeoKen has grown into a highly anticipated regional event and believes its reach now makes it one of the country’s leading post-NeoCon shows. Judging by the turnout and engagement, the New Jersey market is clearly eager for a show of its own.
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ECI Software Solutions Acquires Prima, Expanding Office-Supplies ERP
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ECI Software Solutions has acquired Prima Business Control Software, adding the provider’s ERP and ecommerce technology to its offerings for office supply dealers in the U.K., Ireland and the United States. The deal is designed to help independent distributors manage complex product catalogs, faster ordering expectations and mounting competition from larger ecommerce players.
ECI CEO Trevor Gruenewald called the acquisition a strategic expansion of the company’s ERP and ecommerce portfolio, while Prima CEO Stephen McLaughlin said the company will retain its identity while gaining resources to accelerate innovation. Prima’s technology and AI capabilities will be integrated into ECI’s end-to-end software platform, with the goal of helping dealers operate with greater speed, accuracy and scale.
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Office vacancy rates fell to 18.3% in Q2, the sharpest quarterly drop since 2015, while leasing activity rose 16% year‑over‑year to 62.4 million sq ft, indicating growing demand driven largely by technology firms and an increase in both peak and average office use. Despite higher occupancy, many companies face a mismatch between space optimization and employee experience, with only 14% pursuing meaningful workplace reinvention and 47% rating their environment as insufficient, while flexibility, AI‑driven planning, and variable cost structures become top priorities for occupiers navigating economic uncertainty.
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|  www.facilitiesdive.com
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Office leasing is surging to pre‑pandemic levels, driven by AI, legal and financial firms, with San Francisco leading in leasing activity and attendance. Availability has fallen sharply, especially for high‑grade space, pushing rents up to $44.22 / sf. Investment volume rose 15 % YoY, cap rates climbed to 7.7 %, and loan maturities are concentrating in 2026‑27, creating refinancing pressure. The market now splits into a tightening, rent‑growing segment attracting capital and a repricing segment still shrinking.
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|  propmodo.com
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Commercial property prices were flat in Q2 2026, with a modest 0.1% rise, while values were up 3.9% year‑over‑year; office markets split, seeing declines for large buildings and gains for smaller ones, and the South led regional growth with a 0.5% increase.
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|  allwork.space
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Large occupiers are stabilizing office demand as space reductions slow, with fewer companies cutting footprints and more signing large leases; hybrid work remains prevalent, AI is beginning to influence space planning, and location, flexibility, and employee experience are key factors shaping future office strategies.
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|  www.globest.com
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Suburban office properties are the sole segment of U.S. commercial real estate delivering clear price gains, with values up 3% year‑over‑year, while CBD office prices remain significantly below recent peaks. Overall commercial property indexes show modest growth amid higher‑for‑longer interest rates, and sector performance now hinges on location and property type rather than national trends. Industrial, apartment, and retail markets exhibit mixed results, with industrial modestly declining, apartments in correction, and retail stabilizing. Secondary and non‑major metros outperform major coastal hubs, highlighting a shift toward suburban and Sun Belt markets for investors seeking appreciation.
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|  www.globest.com
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Pearson Lloyd’s London studio views design as a way of reading the world, shifting from merely making things to making sense of them. Founders Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson discuss how their practice now focuses on uncovering unanswered questions, mapping systems, and using design to discover opportunities rather than just solving problems. They highlight projects like the A Better A&E programme, which used mapping to improve patient‑staff communication and cut aggressive incidents, and the PARCS for Bene system that evolved from a product brief into a broader intervention. Emphasizing collaboration, they see design as an ecology of contributors and stress the importance of human editorial control as AI becomes a research and visualisation tool. Their outlook combines pragmatic problem‑framing with a commitment to sustainability, material innovation, and the evolving role of designers in a changing industry.
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|  www.mixinteriors.com
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A $10 trillion economic opportunity emerges from rethinking office engagement, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies that boost employee connection, productivity, and retention in the evolving workplace. The arguement is that focusing on employee well‑being, flexible work arrangements, and meaningful in‑office interactions can drive higher productivity, retention, and overall economic growth.
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|  www.fastcompany.com
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AI exposure is raising unemployment, especially in industries like finance, tech, and manufacturing, where job losses are about 50 basis points above normal and workers face longer job searches. Young employees aged 22‑27 are most affected, with AI‑related layoffs driving higher unemployment rates for this group throughout early 2026.
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|  allwork.space
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Remote work demands robust, invisible infrastructure—clear processes, strong knowledge management, and intentional systems—to support distributed teams, especially as AI integration grows; emphasizing documentation, operational fit, and flexible workspace options like coworking to sustain productivity and scalability.
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|  allwork.space
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London was ranked the world’s most intelligent city in BCG’s inaugural Intelligent Cities Index, highlighting its strong performance in resident outcomes, strategy, technology adoption, governmental ways of working, and enabling factors such as talent and investment. The ranking underscores London’s attractive ecosystem for knowledge‑intensive industries, while also noting that cities can achieve AI leadership through effective governance, digital skills, and public service integration rather than solely relying on physical infrastructure.
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|  workplaceinsight.net
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AI is reshaping office real estate by reducing routine support roles and increasing demand for higher‑paid analytical staff, leading to a “flight to quality” where premium buildings see higher occupancy while commodity space loses tenants. This shift reinforces existing trends, with landlords of top‑tier assets better positioned to maintain rents, whereas owners of lower‑quality offices face challenges, while retail and industrial sectors feel indirect effects through automation and infrastructure needs.
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|  www.globest.com
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As hybrid work reshapes the office, one need hasn’t changed: a quiet place to concentrate. A new crop of products is answering the call with modular, sustainable solutions built for open-plan spaces.
Mute’s click-in modular system now spans nearly 100 ready-made rooms and pods, while Impact Acoustic’s Noren curtain uses recycled PET to cut noise by -18dB. molo’s origami-inspired paper softwall folds flat yet stretches to 4.5 meters, and +Halle’s Opus chair channels horse blinkers into minimalist, personal-focus seating. Herman Miller’s Bound Sit-Stand booths add Class A acoustics with height adjustability.
Elsewhere, Vepa’s caravan-inspired Wireworks creates cozy “rooms within rooms,” Connection’s ONE system builds from a single modular core, Quell’s Omni booths scale up to a Sleep Pod for restorative breaks, Autex’s Vicinity offers flexible-mount screens with 80% recycled content, and Orangebox’s Diggs packs an oak-surfaced single-person booth into a small footprint.
The throughline: sustainability and modularity, giving offices a way to carve out concentration without a full redesign.
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|  www.mixinteriors.com
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Colour is shifting from a decorative element to a strategic tool that supports employee wellbeing, comfort, and productivity, with designers tailoring palettes to specific workplace functions—uplifting tones for collaborative areas and calmer shades for focused work. Integrated with frameworks like WELL and BREEAM, colour now works alongside materials, lighting, and biophilic design to create holistic, health‑focused environments that foster connection, flexibility, and a sense of belonging.
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|  www.onofficemagazine.com
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Herman Miller has revived Alexander Girard’s iconic throw blankets with three newly released archive patterns. Originally created in 1965 for Braniff International Airlines, the vibrant designs reflect Girard’s playful use of color and graphic forms. Made with Pendleton in virgin wool and cotton, the blankets are available for $325.
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|  www.fastcompany.com
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A well‑designed workplace offers a variety of ancillary spaces—quiet zones, collaborative areas, lounges, cafés, and retreats—that support focus, interaction, and rejuvenation, enhancing employee well‑being, belonging, and productivity. By prioritizing people‑first design, clear purpose, flexible layouts, and diverse seating options, organizations create adaptable environments that foster connection, choice, and meaningful experiences.
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|  www.haworth.com
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Palmer Hamilton is bringing a softer option to one of the most utilitarian pieces of school furniture.
The Wisconsin-based maker of K-12 furnishings has introduced the Comfort Plus Seat, a patent-pending upholstered seating option built directly into its mobile cafeteria table platforms. The company says the product is the first of its kind, pairing movable cafeteria tables with integrated upholstered seating—a departure from the hard-surface benches that have long defined the category.
The Comfort Plus Seat will be available on Palmer Hamilton’s 59T and 34M mobile table models. The goal is straightforward: give schools furniture that can be moved and reconfigured quickly without forcing administrators to choose between portability and student comfort—or to buy, store and set up separate seating.
The seats use Stinson Avant Grade 3 commercial vinyl and are offered in 50 colors, allowing schools to coordinate furniture with their branding or campus design. Palmer Hamilton said the material includes an integrated fluid barrier, antimicrobial properties and increased fade resistance, while its 1.5 million double-rub abrasion rating is intended to withstand the daily wear of high-traffic school spaces. The vinyl can be cleaned with a bleach solution of up to 10% for tougher stains.
For schools, the product is designed around flexibility as much as comfort. A cafeteria or media room can shift from lunch service to testing, parent events, collaborative learning or community programming without adding extra chairs or creating a storage problem.
Palmer Hamilton is backing the tables with a 15-year warranty and the seating materials with a five-year warranty. The Comfort Plus Seat is available exclusively through Palmer Hamilton for cafeterias, libraries, media rooms and other multipurpose K-12 spaces.
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|  www.officing.com
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The UNIFY modular seating collection has been expanded with new curved units at 45° and 90°, additional back‑to‑back configurations, and an optional round leg, providing greater flexibility for creating straight, curved, and circular layouts in workplaces, educational, and public spaces. These enhancements increase design possibilities, improve space efficiency, and maintain comfort without extra cost.
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|  www.officing.com
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Carnegie launches Aperture Embroider, a 91% plant‑based, biobased Xorel fabric featuring radial stitched designs that add light and dimension, suitable for wallcoverings and upholstery, and certified for sustainability and high performance.
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|  www.officing.com
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J+J Flooring launched Ume, a new Kinetex resilient textile flooring design inspired by the Japanese sakiori weaving technique, offering 17 earthy and accent colorways with a tightly woven pattern that minimizes visible seams. The product features at least 45% post‑consumer recycled content, carbon‑neutral manufacturing, a lifetime warranty, and multiple sustainability certifications, making it suitable for workplaces, education, healthcare, and senior living environments.
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|  www.officing.com
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Knoll has introduced its first new bed in decades, the ‘Pillo’ bed, created in collaboration with designer Willo Perron. The cushiony, upholstered design blurs the line between pillows and a bed, featuring a massive headboard that can double as a reading or lounging surface, and offers customizable upholstery colors to fit various interiors. This launch expands the ongoing Perron‑Knoll partnership, which began in 2024 with the ‘Pillo’ sofa and now includes lounge chairs, modular seating, and pillows, reflecting Perron’s philosophy of adaptable, non‑uniform design systems.
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|  www.wallpaper.com
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Karl Lagerfeld commissioned a uniquely designed drafting table from surrealist sculptor François‑Xavier Lalanne in the mid‑1960s; its functional yet whimsical features included a tilting surface, pivoting lamp, storage cylinders, a bowl‑on‑a‑stalk, and a central metal globe that could hold items. After a decade of use in Lagerfeld’s Paris apartment, the table passed to decorator Jacques Grange, and later resurfaced at auction in the late 2010s, where Sotheby’s sold it for €753,000 (approximately $880,000).
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|  www.core77.com
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The Harvest Moon table, created by Charles Holland, Catharine Rossi, and Local Works, is built entirely from biomaterials sourced within a 40‑mile radius of Canterbury, UK, using chalk, chestnut timber, apple‑tree wood, bark, and agricultural waste. Its cast‑chalk top and timber‑reinforced legs highlight visible, sustainable construction methods. Designed as a research piece, the table can be disassembled, transported, and reassembled as a communal ritual, accompanied by a publication with assembly instructions, drawings, and a musical score. The project explores local material use, collaborative design processes, and the cultural significance of harvest gatherings.
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|  www.dezeen.com
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Orgatec 2026
October 27-30, 2026 | Cologne, Germany
ORGATEC is the global industry meeting point for everyone who is rethinking and shaping the worlds of work and contract. Every two years, leading brands, experts, and an international trade audience come together in Cologne. Under the guiding theme "From rooms to relationships: designing spaces in an ever-changing world", the focus is on people – and on how spaces in times of change are redefined.
ORGATEC 2026 is a chance to see how the future of work is taking shape—from hybrid and AI-enabled workplaces to healthier, more flexible, and sustainable commercial spaces. Attendees can explore leading international brands, discover European products and concepts not yet widely available in North America, and gain practical insight through talks, guided tours, and interactive programming. It’s also a valuable setting to meet global manufacturers, architects, designers, and workplace decision-makers in one place.
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NeoCon 2027 / DesignDays 2027
June 13-16, 2027 | Chicago, IL
NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation—NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future. For 2027 NeoCon is officially a 4-day event beginning on Sunday, June 13, 2027.
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Trends in Commercial Projects
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Space Matrix revamped Taboola’s 35,000 sq ft. Gurugram office into an acoustically optimized, culture‑driven workplace that balances high energy with focused work through sound‑absorbing materials, a hub‑and‑neighbourhood layout, natural daylight, and Indian‑inspired design elements.
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|  officesnapshots.com
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IOC’s headquarters in Giussano, showcasing its 1970s design by Angelo Mangiarotti and emphasizing the company’s blend of Italian manufacturing, engineering, and project‑management expertise that drives its complex workplace solutions worldwide.
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|  www.mixinteriors.com
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Matt D. Smith, a seasoned designer and founder of Shift Nudge, showcases his newly built, light‑filled studio workspace featuring a MacBook Pro, Mac mini, various musical instruments, and extensive design tools; he discusses his reliance on notebooks, the role of AI in his workflow, his views on animation, and his approach to teaching design taste and judgment.
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|  workspaces.xyz
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A remote worker struggling with poor posture discovers that a Liberator wedge‑ramp combo, originally marketed as a sex pillow, serves as an ergonomic, adjustable seating solution that supports the back, improves comfort, and doubles as a functional office chair.
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|  nymag.com
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The Truth About the LiberNovo Omni SE Seat Problem
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People are saying the LiberNovo Omni SE's seat cushion bottoms out instantly. My pre production LiberNovo Omni SE feels fine even with tons of hours in it...to get to the bottom of this, I bought 2 LiberNovo Omni SEs - one from their website, and one from Amazon and did a subjective / blind test as well as an objective test with a pressure suit. Let's get Ahnest!
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Carrier Johnson + Culture to Serve as Architect for SDCCE's New Site
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Carrier Johnson + Culture has been selected as the architect for the new San Diego College of Continuing Education campus, partnering with Hensel Phelps on a $100 million progressive design‑build project funded by Measure HH. The development, supported by an initial $7.9 million for planning and design, will create a flexible, tuition‑free learning environment for programs such as business information technology, nursing, culinary arts, and student services, aiming to expand educational access and workforce development in the community.
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Comcast will occupy 141,000 sq ft across the 27th‑31st floors of 1540 Broadway in Times Square, paying low‑$90 per sq ft. Represented by Savills, the lease follows a $150 M repositioning plan to enlarge floor plates and add 45,000 sq ft of amenities, aiming to attract larger tech, life‑science and finance firms. The building also includes 162,000 sq ft of retail space owned by Vornado Realty Trust.
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|  www.globest.com
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Apollo Global Management is establishing a second headquarters in Austin to focus on innovation, emerging technology, and talent acquisition, leveraging its recent growth and the region’s strong business ecosystem.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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JAMS, a global dispute resolution firm, is relocating its New York headquarters to the top two floors of Rudin’s 3 Times Square tower, adding 55,000 sq ft of space and signing an 11‑year lease with a move planned for Q4 2027. The move follows a $25 M amenity upgrade at the building and comes as the tower is 75 % leased, positioning JAMS alongside tenants like Spectrum Reach and Remy Cointreau, while its former space at 620 Eighth Ave. faces ownership and financing challenges.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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Charles Schwab is investing $11.7 million to renovate a 84,000 sq ft Class‑B office complex at 8701 E. Hartford Drive in north Scottsdale, focusing on tenant improvements such as mechanical, plumbing, and electrical upgrades on the second floor. The project awaits city approval, and it comes as Phoenix’s office market recovers, with vacancy rates falling to 14.2% in Q2 2026 and continued net absorption growth.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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Stablecoin Development Corp., formerly NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, relocated its headquarters from California to Suite 800 at 222 Lakeview Ave., West Palm Beach, to cut costs and focus on cryptocurrency, holding about $2.3 billion in Sky tokens (≈10% market share). The move coincides with several real‑estate transactions in South Florida, including new residential projects under the Live Local Act, sizable financing deals for multifamily and office properties, and notable acquisitions by firms such as Kimco Realty, CIP Real Estate, and Mana Common. Additionally, Vast Coworking Group appointed new executives following its acquisition by New State Capital Partners.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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Snap Inc. has signed a 199,000‑square‑foot sublease at Vornado Realty Trust’s Penn 2 tower, taking over three Verizon floors and joining other high‑profile tenants such as Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Major League Soccer. The lease runs through 2044 at a premium rent, reflecting Manhattan’s tight office market where leasing volume is up and available space is at its lowest since 2020. The deal follows a broader trend of tech and law firms expanding in the city, with notable recent transactions and financing activity across the region.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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Panera is relocating its corporate headquarters to a 102,000 sf lease at BXP’s 133 Boston Post Road in Weston, Massachusetts, while keeping its St. Louis support center. The move aligns with the Panera Rise three‑year strategy to refresh the menu, boost value, enhance guest experience, and expand the network. Recent activity includes closing a Massachusetts bakery, laying off about 100 workers, and various regional real‑estate transactions and personnel hires across the Boston area.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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MillerKnoll’s Gabe Wing Recognized for his Sustainability Leadership by Business Intelligence Group
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Gabe Wing, MillerKnoll’s Vice President of Sustainability, was honored with the 2026 Business Intelligence Group Sustainability Hero award for his leadership in advancing sustainable innovations, notably reducing the Aeron chair’s embodied carbon by 12% through material and design improvements. The recognition highlights MillerKnoll’s broader commitment to sustainability, including 100 % renewable electricity across its manufacturing sites and ongoing efforts to lower emissions and increase transparency.
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The Splash Lab Announces New Business Development Manager for NYC
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The Splash Lab has appointed Jacqueline Siani as the new Business Development Manager for New York City, where she will enhance brand visibility and collaborate with architects and designers to create innovative commercial washroom solutions. Siani brings experience from her previous role at Total Plastics International, where she drove new business opportunities and fostered repeat and referral sales.
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Indiana Furniture Strengthens Western Coverage Through Altitude Resource Group
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Indiana Furniture has appointed Altitude Resource Group as its new manufacturer’s representative for Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, enhancing its market presence in the Mountain States with local expertise and added sales resources. The partnership, effective from August 1 2026, aims to strengthen customer support, expand relationships, and ensure a smooth transition as the previous representative retires, while both companies emphasize quality, service, and innovative office furnishings.
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Andaaz Manufacturing Announces New Representation in Key U.S. Markets
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Andaaz Manufacturing, a custom hospitality furniture maker, has expanded its U.S. sales network by adding new representatives: Hospitality Furnishings, Inc. in Orlando, TiCa Collaborative in Los Angeles, and DCM Hospitality in Colorado, covering Florida, Southern California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Colorado. This growth enhances local market access and leverages the reps’ long‑standing relationships with designers and purchasing firms, enabling Andaaz to deliver quality casegoods and seating solutions nationwide while maintaining its collaborative, designer‑led approach.
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Integra Seating Announces New California Rep Partners
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Integra Seating has expanded its Southern California sales team by adding Lacey Lechner of DKMR Projects and Diana Polsfuss of DP Design Studio, extending coverage across multiple counties and offering local support for its high‑performance, USA‑made lounge and guest seating solutions.
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50 Years Strong: Tayco Earns 2026–2027 Great Place To Work® Certification
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Tayco celebrates its 50‑year milestone by earning the 2026–2027 Great Place to Work® Certification for the second time, highlighting a strong, people‑first culture built on trust, collaboration, and professional growth. The certification, based on employee feedback, underscores Tayco’s commitment to fostering a supportive workplace, expanding volunteer initiatives, and continuing its legacy of quality Canadian furniture manufacturing.
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Ghent Stays Committed to Reliable Delivery with 30% Damage Reduction, Responsible Packaging
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Ghent reinforces its commitment to reliable, sustainable delivery by cutting damage rates over 30% through stronger, fully recyclable packaging and a proprietary Dura‑Packed protection system, while ensuring most orders ship within ten days. The company also emphasizes fast fulfillment, proactive issue resolution, and environmental responsibility, positioning its large‑format visual communication products as both high‑performance and eco‑friendly solutions.
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NanaWall Announces Call for Submissions for NanaAwards 2026
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NanaWall has opened submissions for the 2026 NanaAwards, inviting architects, designers, builders, and homeowners to showcase projects using its glass wall systems. The competition includes residential, commercial, remodel, hospitality, and ADU categories, with a two‑stage judging process followed by public voting. Cash prizes and featured placements will be awarded to Gold and Silver winners, with submission period from August 5 to September 10, 2026, and winners announced in early December. For more information, visit www.NanaWall.com.
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Wilsonart Brings Latest Collections, 2027 Product Previews to IWF Atlanta
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Wilsonart will showcase its largest surface collection at IWF Atlanta 2026, featuring an expanded commercial HPL line with 21 new designs, an exclusive preview of 2027 Solid Surface products, and a broad range of coordinated HPL, TFL, and adhesive solutions, all presented at Booth C1326.
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When a company is acquired, employees—especially top salespeople—should begin interviewing even if reassurances are given that jobs are safe, because new owners typically seek efficiencies that lead to layoffs and restructuring. Updating resumes, keeping LinkedIn current, and exploring opportunities in related industries while still employed helps employees stay selective and prepared for potential changes. Continuing to perform well in the current role is important, but proactively searching for new positions ensures you are informed and can make the best career decision rather than being caught off‑guard by unexpected job loss.
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Manage and grow a national network of independent sales representatives across the US and Canada, driving revenue through commercial furniture dealers, architects, designers, and specification firms. Own the full sales cycle—strategy, pipeline management, forecasting, and contract negotiations—while conducting market analysis to spot trends and opportunities. Partner cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Leadership to deliver strong customer solutions, and represent the company through presentations, training, trade shows, and industry events. Requires extensive travel throughout the US and Canada to build relationships and support the rep network in the field.
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